I haven’t posted in forever!  (So please indulge the girth of this post…it’s been sitting in my drafts for a while)

I’ve been talking to a lot of different people lately with different, opposing, or struggling views of God.  Those who have no belief, apathetic belief, conditional belief, confused belief, emotional belief, and the like.  I thought I might go through some of the tripping points that I’ve encountered from these conversations.  My hope would be the ability to explain a “true” Christian perspective on these tripping points, debunking some “modern Christianity” lies that may have proliferated minds due to social inconsistancy or confusion.

What is the Bible?  Is it unfair to use it to defend Christianity?

A problem some people have with Christianity is the arguement that God proves the Bible and the Bible proves God.  This seems (and is) circular in nature.  The Christian perspective is that the Bible is the true, inspired word of God.  It consists of 66 books, written by over 40 authors over a span of thousands of years.  Despite the differences in author situations, time periods, or cultural differences, these books are congruent and free of contradiction.  This does not mean the Bible is free of difficulties.  As a Christian who accepts the Bible as truth and as the book given to expound about God to mankind, it is the natural and appropriate response to use that accepted truth to explain God, because that is what the Bible “is.”

As a non believer you may choose to not accept the Bible as truth, but the Christian cannot make the same choice.  Historically speaking the Bible has more “proof” of it’s accuracy than any ancient work.  More manuscripts than any writings of Ceasar, Aristotle, Socrates, Homer, Plato (Combined).  Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible were Masoretic texts dating to 9th century. The biblical manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls push that date back to the 2nd century B.C.  Doubters hoped they would see proof that our translations have changed and withered over time.  Instead they found that the Bible’s accuracy has held up over time as the earlier copies were essentially identical despite the huge time gap.  I would never expect someone to believe in God entirely on proofs or historicity, but I mention these things becuase the real question for a non believer to answer is “Is what the Bible says true?” and not “Is the Bible accurately translated.”

Why believe the Bible over other texts?  (Book of Mormon, etc)

The Bible was written, as I said before, by over 40 different authors over thousands of years.   It contains poems, narratives, accounts, biographies, prophesies, songs, prayers, and all of it works together in one congruent narrative.  It contains hundreds of prophesies, hundreds of years apart by various authors that have been fulfilled.  Other works do not hold up to textual criticism the way the Bible does.  The Bible is not a collection of philosophies about what authors “claim” was real, but instead it is accounts of what “happened.”  I believe that if someone chooses to read the Bible the truth found in scripture is evident.  One of the saddest things to me is that people choose to live their entire lives with no consideration of God and the Bible.  The book is there, pick it up and read it for yourself!  ”IF” there really is a God, then you’ve taken a few moments on this earth to consider Him, to read what his followers claim is His inspired word.  Isn’t eternity worth some earthly consideration?  Christianity is not a sell, or a brainwashing, or a trick, even if some try to make it out to be.  It’s followers of Christ, whose life, death, and ressurection is recounted in the New Testament of The Bible.  If God does exist, then he exists whether or not you believe in him.  This is why I implore people to not live 75 years of distracted life and not spend at least some honest time considering the claims of Christ.  

What do hyppocrites prove about Christianity?

Christians who live hyppocritical lives (say one thing, live or do another) show that people are fallable and choose to follow their own desires while bearing the name of Christianity.  The same way I can claim to be a mathmatician and yet insist that 2+2=10.  It makes me a horrible mathmatician but that doesn’t make math “false” - it makes me “false.”  Truth is truth regardless of those who claim to follow and fail at it.  Those who bomb abortion clinics in the name of God abandon the real truth of Scripture and Christianity.  Those who hold hate messages for homosexual people make the same error.  These people do not truly follow Christ, they simply destroy His name on behalf of their self-driven causes.  They’re terrible testimonies to Christ, but they do not prove or disprove truth.

Christians and tolerance

Christians are sometimes labeled intolerant because they claim that some things are right and some things are wrong.  This is based upon absolute truth.  I believe that some things are always true.  (And so do you!).  Even if you believe that everything is relative, you’ve already made an absolute claim that all things are relative. Honestly, I’m okay being labeled intolerant as long as people can understand what that really means.  For instance a hot-button issue is homosexuality in today’s culture.  God’s word makes clear the damage of sexual perversion, promiscuity, debauchery.  Heterosexual or homosexual people lost in sexual perversion sin against God, because God designed sexuality within the framework of heterosexual marriage.  Homosexuality is a sin the same way a heterosexual sexual sin is, the same way jealousy or lust or lying or idolotry are.  Sin is a rebellion against God.  Sin seperates us from God, and God designed us to have fellowship with Him and not to to live in any type of sin.  He wants us to have felowship through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  As a Christian I am intolerant of all sin, not just “hotbutton sin” that rises and falls in society.  I accept God’s word as truth, and his word contains precepts for living that we should follow. Not simply because God says so (though that is enough) but with the knowledge that such precepts are meant for better living here on earth because God knows what’s best for us.  It doesn’t take a genius to see the damaging “real-life” consequences of sexual perversion (adultury, disease, divorce, depression) or lying (broken relationships/trust) or theft (consequences of breaking the law, jealousy, envy).

I actually have a few other ones I wanted to get into, but this post is long enough.  I realize that people have different and opposing viewpoints, but hopefully this helped at least in a small way to build an understanding of true Christianity vs. your perceptions or mis-conceptions.  I guess I will close simply with the personal testimony that a relationship with the living God is the best thing you could pour yourselves into.  All the money, posessions, or temporary pleasures of this world end up fleeting and empty, and ultimately left behind in death.  Christ, through his sacrifice on the cross, redeemed mankind and accounted for the sin we all know we are guilty of (lying, stealing, lust, selfishness, jealousy, greed, etc..).   Before your life is over, consider giving it to him.  He gave his up for you.  

Want to browse the Bible online?  http://www.biblegateway.com

Comments, questions, confusion?  Feel free to post a comment…

Couple brief comments about tonight’s debate:

• I was happy that it played out more (slightly) like an actual debate, albiet hilarious to watch them shoot back and forth, beg for more time, get denied, then sneak their rebuttal into the next question when it wasn’t even relevant
• I still have a hard time putting their responses through the “stump speach” filter…it’s not very fun to watch generic republican A battle generic democrat B but I’m trying…
• I was impressed with both candidates tonight and a little depressed with both.  McCain seemed more controlled and had some very quality responses, but had plenty of poor ones that were little more than some rhetoric and repetition.  Obama is always well spoken but seemed to lack depth and never really convinced me of his capabilities, although he had some inspiring reponses.  
• I look forward to seeing all the crazy SNL skits that shall arise from this one, as they’ve been twice as fun and nearly as informative as many of these.  
• Hopefully we can see more true “debate” filled debates as they lock up in the future.  

This past week I had the privilege of sitting down with some high schoolers and discussing the “Prosperity Gospel” in modern America and it’s contrast with scripture.  For those unfamiliar,  the “Prosperity Gospel” is a term used to refer to the preaching that focuses on God “blessing” his people with material things, health, etc.

Here is a quote from a “popular” American preacher who regularly preaches the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel.  I’m omitting names as the point of this post is not to vilify anyone but rather open eyes to what’s going on…

“It’s God’s will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty.  It’s God’s will for you to live in health and not in sickness all the days of your life”

The message that God wants you to have material things, wealth, cars, money, and to simply “be happy” is the message being pushed all across the globe by “prosperity gospel” preachers.  People find it ever so attractive (as you might expect) as preachers exclaim over and over again God’s plan for your life, and how it involves financial prosperity and good things.  As one preacher said, “Make church relevant… I find today people are not looking for theology.”

As believers, as people searching for truth, we must first hear these things and react like the Bereans do in Acts 17:11.  We must examine God’s word and see if what’s being said and taught is true.  With these prosperity teachings becoming more and more prevelant in modern preaching, television, and literature - it’s key to examine and refute false teaching.

A quick glance at Romans 5:3-4,  James 1:2-3, and 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 give us some quick Biblical perspective that flies in the face of this modern popularity.  The biblical perspective of suffering, poverty, trial and hardship is not one where these things are to be “absent” from our lives, but rather embraced with JOY as an opportunity for persevearane, character, and hope.  The Macedonians had great affliction and poverty yet had an overwhelming joy in the midst of it.

Their joy was in God, not circumstances, and certainly not material things.  It comes down to what your treasure is.  Is it money, health, prosperity?  Or is it God?  In fact, Christ himself said in Luke 14:33 that anyone who does not renounce all he has cannot be his disciple.  Seems quite the contrast to the popular prosperity teaching.  Not to mention countless warnings about riches, including the likes of 1 Timothy 6:9 that warns us that the desire for riches is a trap and a temptation.

Across the globe there is so much more “cost” to the faith of believers.  They’re lives are filled with persecution, hardship and death.  Where is their prosperity gospel?  I wonder how America would look, how Christianity would look if there was great cost associated with faith.  If people didn’t have the luxury of simply showing up to church once every couple weeks or arbitrarily calling on and abandoning the name of Christ in American leisure.

The prosperity Gospel is dangerous because it teaches us to treasure things above Christ.  God’s word doesn’t teach that.  It teaches that we may suffer, we may be broke or lack many things the world has, and yet that is our opportunity to take joy, our opportunity to hold Christ higher than all else, to shine our light before men, and to treasure the only true Treasure that exists.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”  - Matthew 13:44-45

Here’s an audio clip from a sermon by John Piper, a pastor in Minnesota whom I greatly respect and admire. His website is www.desiringgod.org, also available in our “friends and links” section.

One of our favorite artists, Bebo Norman, recently released a song entitled “Britney” which I thought was worth posting on here.  Of the song, Bebo says “‘Britney’ is a song about what our culture says and does to young women these days. It’s about the lies we tell them about fame and money and what’s beautiful and what will give them life. It’s an apology for those lies. But more than that, it’s an invitation to the truth about a God who is bigger than the pain this world so often leaves them in.”

The song exclaims the tragedy that breaks my heart on a daily basis.  Maybe it’s such a core issue for me because I have a little sister that I want to see grow up with a focus on what’s really important and not our culture’s distorted perceptions of what makes you a woman.  But more than that, I think it’s such a big issue in my heart because it’s such a big issue.  Girls are growing up to believe there is no option but the lies of society.  That fleeting beauty and sex are somehow all they are worth.  It makes me sick to my stomach.  You can listen to Bebo’s song above, and check out his MySpace page by clicking here.  He has a new album coming out soon that is sure to be good…

One of the most amazing things about this pregnancy has been the incredible awe I find myself in each and every week that goes by, as we learn about the baby’s development, and my protectiveness grows, and I have to trust God every day for the development of my child and the protection of my wife.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
- Jeremiah 1:5a

What’s even more incredible is how incredibly alive this child is so early on. At 6 weeks its heart is beating 160 times a minute, developing eyes, ears, nose, organs. It shocked me prior to our own pregnancy that some could find it conscionable to abort a child at all (outside of exceptional medical circumstances), and now, understanding more about the pregnancy, it appalls me even further. There are no morally impacting differences between a 6 week old pregnancy and a 6 week old baby. None. I am in awe of the handiwork of God within the womb of Briana. It blows my mind and gives me a humble fall-on-my-face kind of reverence for God the creator.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb”
- Isaiah 49:1,3

I often wonder what it would have been like to live during a different era.  Perhaps the early 1900’s when people had less as far as “wealth” - but also developed a different perspective.  Instead of this murky world of comparison and relative (and not ultimate) success, it seems like things were more simple even if they weren’t so “advanced” as we think we are today.

Or maybe my problem is not eras but countries.  You need not travel backwards in time to achieve this different perspective, just head overseas.  My time in Israel was enough to see the gap in perspective and priority.  We were tourists in a strange land filled with historical sites.  They were people in their home land living their lives.  We were probably nothing more than flies.  Like rich politicians who spend 3 hours in a warzone or refugee camp.  We visit, we have compassion, and then we fly home to our warm beds and safety.

I think it’s probably a cop-out to want an “all around me” change like a time flash back or country move, so that I’m forced to change my perspectives and priorities.  I know I’m capable of doing that with dicipline, submission and ultimately humility, but often large changes seem easier.  It’s why people make resolutions on New Year’s and not March 11th or June 5th.  It’s a simple or seemingly simpler starting point.  I suppose the quest should be to run after that bigger perspective at all times and be contented with slowly moving and not feel guilty for my place in this world.  As an American, it seems to be getting more difficult to do.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how I represent Christ in my daily life. When I go to work, when I come home, when I meet with friends, etc. I want to find the right way to spread the light of the gospel and somehow not condemn or judge and further some false idea of Christianity in someone else’s mind. A relationship with God is so infinitely amazing and of everlasting importance - you’d think that simply speaking with sincerity would be successful, but it’s not always the case.

The truth is, I’m starting to believe that it’s that word: “Success” that’s screwing me up. As a Christian, my definition for that word when it comes to spreading the truth of God should not be a “positive happy reaction” from another person. The Bible gives no reason to define it such a way and yet we often do. It’s obvious why as well, it’s because we want to be liked! Yet I know full well that the truth is not always what people want to hear. To acknowledge that they’ve stolen, lied, blasphemed, etc and be convicted in the heart isn’t fun. We are all sinners, and it should bother us when we discover such a fact (or rather admit what’s so true). I really want to be able to be open and honest, and show a passionate love and not a rules-driven sect. Christianity isn’t about religion but a relationship with the living God, the God that one can not help but know exists in the very fiber of their being.

I just finished reading Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, the insightful, notably controversial book about Christian Spirituality. Let me first say I don’t see any reason for believers to disgregard this work. I heard tons of bad things around the conservative/fundamentalist circles about this book that I was near telling people not to read it without even looking at the book myself. I had a false (completely) misconception that this book was written by a faithless rebel who wanted to justify sin and a disobedient life and still sound smart. This book in no way reflects any of those preconceptions and I’m ashamed to have had them in the first place.

I don’t consider myself anywhere within the “postmodern” or “emergent” movement, but I am one who believes there are some strong benefits coming out of it. There are dangers as well, but I think provoking thought, growth, and discussion as many of the works of postmodern writers do, is a plus. With that said, here are my thoughts on the book as well as some of the quotes I found profound.

My first striking impression was that Donald Miller is a blatent and passionate follower of Christ. There’s no towing the line or controversial theological content to suggest otherwise. I had heard terms like “flaky” etc when this book was talked about, but I saw none of that. I saw honesty. The book is not much more than his honest and open thoughts on Christian Spirituality outside the realm of mainstream Christian religion. At times he sounds as much a visionary as the great CS Lewis in his writing, and other times amateurishly ranting on about topic after topic. This didn’t bother me during the read however because I didn’t feel like this book was writing to attempt to further some cause or crusade or agenda. It was simply some honest thoughts that I found reflected back inside of myself.

I highly recommend this book because it provokes some honest thoughts on why we do what we do. Those coming from conservative fundamental backgrounds can become caught in cliche and religion, and abandon the scriptural realities Miller reminds us of, primarily Love. Not conditional love, but the unbelievable unconditional love set forth by Jesus.

I would say the only danger in this work is somehow romanticizing some of flaws found within Miller or the many influences and people mentioned in the book. Many of his friends, who help Miller along his path of understanding God, curse, drink, some are even hippies, and all are greatly faulted like the rest of us. I’d hate to have the glaring benefits of this work overshadowed by these completely honest portrayals, but at the same time I know I don’t need to curse or read poetry or drink to be introspective and ponder the deep things of God. I don’t need be labeled or fit within a movement to love like Jesus and to love not just my brothers and sisters in Christ but everyone, impartially.

The overarching quality in this book is it’s honesty and it has the power to make you look at your own life, relationships, and religious routines and look a little deeper at life. I think Blue Like Jazz is a great work and look forward to reading some of Miller’s other works. It’s a great book for an open and honest discussion group.

I will emphasize this book is not a work of Theology, nor do I think everything he says is amazing or great, but just that I think we struggle so much with honesty that it’s a refreshing dive inside it.

Some quotes from Blue Like Jazz:

For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained. Christianity, unlike Christian spirituality, was not a term that excited me. I couldn’t share something I wasn’t experiencing. And I wasn’t experiencing Christianity. - Blue Like Jazz, 115

My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect. I don’t really do that anymore. Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don’t believe in God and they can prove He doesn’t exist, and there are some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it’s about who is smarter, and honestly I don’t care. - Blue Like Jazz, 103

I was a fundamental Christian once. It lasted a summer. I was in that same phase of trying to discipline myself to “behave” as if I loved light and not “behave” as if I loved darkness. I used to get really ticked about preachers who talked too much about grace, because they tempted me to not be disciplined. I figured what people needed was a kick in the butt, and if I failed at godliness it was because those around me weren’t trying hard enough. - Blue Like Jazz, 79

I would like to call your attention to a ministry in need of our prayer and financial support.  I visited a Messianic
congregation in Tel Aviv, Israel when I was there over this past summer.  Dugit (Adonai Roi Congregation) are an amazing group of servants spreading the gospel through a land where it is dangerous to do so.  Below is their mission statement, and you can read more about them here and download their PDF ministry flyer here.
Dugit is an evangelistic outreach center located in the heart of Tel Aviv. Staff members are available to meet with anyone who stops by, answering their questions and ministering the Life of Yeshua as they are led of the Holy Spirit.

Dugit also provides coordination for evangelism efforts in Tel Aviv for visiting church groups from all over the world. Instruction is provided on outreach methods suitable for Israel and Israelis before taking the group into the streets. The center is designed as a comfortable meeting place where people may gather to fellowship with other believers and also provides a resource for believers and non-believers who are searching for information about Messiah.

Donations can be made via paypal here 

It’s almost Christmas!  December through February is arguably my favorite time of year.  The air is crisp and people seem a tad friendlier (unless you’re shopping) and you get to see family and friends.

Thinking about the holidays had me thinking about today’s modern view of Christmas, and how it’s celebrated.  Christmas is supposed to honor the day of the birth of Christ, to celebrate the incarnation.  But we know for most Christ’s birth is not more than a footnote, if that.  Christmas has become the birthday party Christians prepare for in excitement, only to be completely contented in the guest of honor failing to show up.  How many of us would throw a celebration in honor of someone, and yet be completely happy and have a good time when the celebration takes place absent of the one it was prepared for?  That’d be crazy!  Yet Christmas has become that to many…
Fun has taken place of the Son!  When I have a family of my own, I hope to deeply encourage the true spirit of Christmas with traditions that bring the focus back around to who it should be!  Maybe a birthday cake each year that the kid’s can see who the day is for, and a traditional family reading of the Christmas story.

I marvel also at how Satan has manufactured so many things to completely distract society from any recognition of Christmas as a day to honor our King.  He has Santa Claus’ and the Easter Bunny ready to progressively alter the focus more and more each year.  His best weapons are those that seem to “bland out” everything that should have more importance.

There is a desperate need for aid in the wake of Katrina, which demolished the Gulf Coast, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

The most crucial need at this time is means to provide food and medication to the people, in particular the elderly and infants.

I know many of us feel stranded in regards to how we can help, but there are a couple of crucial ways we can.

1.  Prayer - committ yourself, your youth group, church, to faithfully praying for the people and God’s purposes in this tradgedy.  May God bring many to himself through this.

2.  Contribute financially - My suggested location to donate is the Salvation Army.  These donations will go to feeding and providing for the thousdands in need.  Obviously many of us cannot pack up and go aid with our time, but we can with our finances.

Please consider a donation by clicking below!

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm